Adventures In Copyright: Another PS1 by…The Gap?

A reader tipped us off to yet another mass retailer selling a handbag that looks very similar to Proenza's PS1. This time, surprisingly, it's the Gap. Gap's version seems to be denim and while the front buckles are a little different, it has the same top handle, shoulder strap and triangular flap as the original. It's weird - Gap doesn't usually do knock-offs, but I guess everyone wants in on this ridiculously popular messenger bag.

A reader tipped us off to yet another mass retailer selling a handbag that looks very similar to Proenza's PS1. This time, surprisingly, it's the Gap. Gap's version seems to be denim and while the front buckles are a little different, it has the same top handle, shoulder strap and triangular flap as the original. It's weird - Gap doesn't usually do knock-offs, but I guess everyone wants in on this ridiculously popular messenger bag.

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A reader tipped us off to yet another mass retailer selling a handbag that looks very similar to Proenza's PS1. This time, surprisingly, it's the Gap. Gap's version seems to be denim and while the front buckles are a little different, it has the same top handle, shoulder strap and triangular flap as the original. It's weird - Gap doesn't usually do knock-offs, but I guess everyone wants in on this ridiculously popular messenger bag.

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A Dominican Republic-based reader sent in this pic from Zara of what he calls "a veeeery poor and cheap immitation of Proenza Schouler's PS1." Indeed, the "leather" looks plastic-y and the black part appears to be canvas.
We love the PS1, because it's an "It bag," we guess, but it's so simple and understated that it lacks the annoying fad aspect of most It bags that came before it. Still, lots of celebrities carry it around, so we're not surprised someone like Zara would decide to create something similar. Not a very impressive knock-off of the Olsen favorite. However, at least the buckles and colorways are slightly different from the original, unlike Navoh's knock-off, which was more of a straight-up copy and just as cheap-looking.

Reader Angie tipped us off to his rather upsetting Adventures In Copyright.
It seems that See by Chloe has blatantly ripped off Mandy Coon's "Ginny Bunny Bag." Both bags are black leather, and in the shape of bunny. We wonder though, how the quality of the leather compares among the two bags. The only noticeable difference between the two is that the original bag has a gold chain while the See by Chloe bag has a wrist band.
Either way, it's always disappointing to see big labels rip off smaller, independently-owned labels. Especially when the knocked-off piece looks exactly the same as the original. Then again, both bags kind of remind us of those coveted Giles dinosaurs bags.

A reader tipped us off about these Steve Madden booties' and the striking resemblance they bear to Burberry Prorsum's Shearling-lined aviator boots. The Steve Maddens are clearly a knock-off. The shape, placement of the buckles and platform seem directly copied from the original. And it's difficult to tell in this photo, but the Steve Maddens also appear to have some sort of shearling lining. Of course, the Burberrys, which retail on Net-a-Porter for $1,095 are much better-looking overall, but Steve Madden's $150 knock-offs really aren't so bad. What do you think?